Process for booking Lhasa Travel
To ensure a smooth journey, it is recommended to book the tour at least 15-20 days before departure. Of course, booking 1 or 2 months or even earlier will help us apply for necessary travel documents on your behalf and make advance reservations for accommodations. The earlier you book, the better prepared you’ll be, and you won’t be troubled in a rush.
Necessary travel documents for Lhasa Travel
First, you need to apply for a Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Make sure you don’t have a Chinese Visa, and your former visa will be canceled once the group visa is issued. Then, you also need the Tibet Travel Permit to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region from Nepal.
Some other local travel documents, like the Alien’s travel permit for visiting the Mount Everest area, are also required for the overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa. We’ll take care of Tibet Travel Permit, as well as other local travel documents as part of our tour package. Simply follow our guidance, and there’s no need to worry about the process.
About Chinese Group Visa
Whether you already have a Chinese visa or not, you need to apply for a group visa through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu if you are going to enter Tibet from Nepal. We provide visa assistance services. After booking your Nepal to Tibet tour with us, it is suggested to visit our Kathmandu office at least 4 working days before you enter Tibet.
You need to provide the original passport with 6 months of validity. We assist in processing visa matters to ensure that you can successfully obtain a group visa. The visa fee and service fee need to be paid.
If you already hold a Chinese visa, it is not recommended to enter Tibet from Nepal as your original Chinese visa will be canceled due to the issuance of a group visa.
Tibet Travel Permit
Once you book your Kathmandu to Lhasa tour with us, simply provide scanned copies of your Chinese Visa and a valid passport (with at least 6 months of validity). Generally, it takes 7-14 working days to process the Tibet Travel Permit. Our Tibetan local guide will bring permit to you once you cross the border at Gyirong Port.
Best time to Lhasa Travel
The best time to Lhasa Tour are Spring (April to early June) and Autumn (September to October) with fine weather, pleasant temperatures, and less rainfall. You have more chances to enjoy a clear view of of Mt. Everest during your trip.
Winter is also an excellent season to witness the Himalayas and appreciate the clear mountain views in the Everest region. As the off-season for Tibet tourism, winter provides more affordable tour prices, making it a more cost-effective time for your visit from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Summer (July to August) is the rainy season in Tibet. While most rainfall occurs at night, it doesn’t impact daytime activities. The only inconvenience for visiting in summer is that roads on the Nepal side are often affected by heavy rains, potentially causing landslides and road damage.
Road condition from Kathmandu to Lhasa
The first section from Kathmandu to the border, covering around 180 kilometers, transforms into a dusty and bumpy terrain. After entering Tibet, especially across the Mount Everest area in Tibet, the roads boast good conditions. A major part of the route is comprised of well-paved asphalt roads suitable for regular vehicles, spanning approximately 820 km from Gyirong Port at the Sino-Nepal border to Lhasa City.
Although the road conditions are a little different and challenging, the scenic beauty along the segment is truly captivating. Additionally, our experienced local drivers, who know Tibet’s roads well, we make sure your overland journey in Tibet is safe and comfortable as possible.
Hotel Accommodation
In the border areas, both on the Nepal side and the Chinese side, accommodation options are quite limited and basic. The local hotels offer very basic facilities that cannot be compared with hotels in Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Shigatse. Please understand the limitations in this remote border area.
As you get closer to the big cities, the accommodation along the way gets progressively better. In cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, accommodation options range from luxury 5-star to economic 3-star, allowing you to choose based on your budget and preferences.
Meals on the trip
The meals involved in this package include hotel breakfasts, a farewell dinner, and a lunch at a local restaurant in a Tibetan village near Yamdrok Lake. While traveling, you’ll have the flexibility to explore a diverse range of dining options for other lunches and dinners. Tibetan and Sichuan restaurants are quite common.
If you have specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian preferences or any other requirements, please inform your travel consultant in advance so that we can make the necessary preparations.
Packing List for Lhasa Travel
Besides the clothes to take, here are some more things to prepare for your trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Personal Care-Pack your essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, facial cleanser, towels, and other personal toiletries. Since there are no shower facilities at Everest Base Camp, consider bringing wet wipes for convenience.
Skincare-Due to the dry climate in Tibet, pack lip balm, moisturizing cream, and hydrating masks to prevent skin dryness and cracking.
Sun Protection-Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and sunglasses for effective sun protection against the strong UV rays in Tibet.
Additional Necessities-Considering the long distances between attractions in Tibet, bring a U-shaped pillow for a comfortable journey. Also, having a thermal flask ensures you have hot water whenever needed.
Common Medications-Take essential medications like motion sickness pills, gastrointestinal medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medicine, and other medications for emergencies. Include adhesive bandages and eye drops. (Consult your doctor and carefully follow medical advice when taking medication.)
Electronic Devices-Bring your phone, camera, power bank, and any other necessary electronic devices. If you plan to bring a drone, check with our travel consultant in advance. Tibet operates on a 220V voltage.
Cash and Cards-In the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Chinese yuan (RMB) is the primary currency. Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly accepted in major cities such as Lhasa and Shigatse. While credit cards are usable in some large hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls in Lhasa, it’s important to note that in remote areas, cash might be essential. To ensure convenience, it’s recommended to carry a small amount of Chinese yuan and at least one bank card with you.
